NORTH ANDOVER — The Eagle-Tribune’s annual Santa Fund helped 291 people in need have a joyful and healthy holiday season and feel supported by their community with funds raised by generous donors.
As of Friday, more than $59,500 was raised through generous contributions from the community, local businesses and organizations.
Since 1924, the tradition has provided local families in need in the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire with gifts and food during the holidays. Donations help brighten children’s days with gifts to open and contribute to a festive, warm meal for families to share.
Now in its 101st year, the Santa Fund is in partnership with the Merrimack Valley YMCA, which administers the program. The YMCA team works with community organizations to distribute the gifts and foods to the families.
More than 2,100 gifts and clothing items were purchased, wrapped and delivered from funds raised this year. The 291 individuals in the community who benefited ranged from an 89-year-old man to a baby expected not yet born. Gifts included presents and grocery store gift cards.
Many YMCA volunteers worked to ensure every child’s wish came true, fulfilling unique requests like volleyball gear for a teenager starting the sport and crocodile-shaped slippers. Planetarium projectors to transform bedroom ceilings into starry skies were also some of the gifts children asked for.
Other popular requests included Lego sets, Barbie dolls and Bluey and Sonic toys. Recipients also received at least three clothing items and a pair of shoes in addition to gifts.
The Santa Fund team consisted of 63 volunteers, including the YMCA’s Adelante program, who helped shop, wrap and spread holiday cheer.
Volunteers begin in the fall to manage the Santa Fund. Olivia LeDuc, the YMCA’s philanthropy administrator, managed the operation, coordinating every gift for every child and ensuring every detail from donation to wrapping was covered.
Teens from the Lawrence YMCA shopped from families’ wish lists at the Methuen Target in December and later wrapped some of the gifts.
YMCA Board Member Michelle Shea took wrapping strangely-shaped objects to a whole new level while corporate partner Borislow Insurance sent an entire team to help wrap hundreds of gifts.
Others like volunteer Tish Bachman and Lawrence Board of Advisors Member Debbie Schmidt shared their expertise as longtime Santa Fund coordinators with the rest of the Santa Fund team for another successful year.
Donations for the Santa Fund can still be made through Jan. 14 at p2p.onecause.com/santafund25.